Sigler-roman bridge bracket

ABSTRACT

This utility patent invention is for a high capacity bridge overhang bracket which utilizes a timber diagonal member and a threaded rod vertical member for maximum geometric adjustability. The hanger assembly for this bracket consists of rotational connection to the body of the bracket and is supported by a single bolt through the bridge girder web. This support consists of an over-sized hole which is slotted above for erection and disassembly over a loosened bolt in order to minimize the time and people involved. The bracket is designed for the use of either a 4×4 or 4×6 timber diagonal members and ½ inch coil rod vertical members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Bridge overhang brackets are a common tool in bridge construction. Two of the most commonly used are the Waco Bridge Overhang Bracket and Dayton-Richmond C49 or C89 Overhang Brackets. Recently, however, changes in bridge designs and an ever-competitive construction market have produced the need for a new bridge overhang bracket. On recent bridges for WSDOT, overhangs have increased in size and the use of steel tub girders has grown.

Historically, WACO Bridge overhang brackets have been the preferred overhang bracket due to its lightweight, its adjustability (screw-jacks) and its sufficient capacity (4,000 LBS/EA). However, with the increasing overhang widths, these brackets have insufficient capacity and in the case of tub girders, their fixed square geometry does not work with steel tub girders.

The alternative to the WACO Bracket is the Dayton-Richmond Bracket. These brackets have a higher capacity, and an adjustable geometry, but these features come at a cost. The brackets are not adjustable (for finish grades) and they are very heavy (and very expensive). The combination of high purchase or rental costs, and high installation costs make these an uninviting alternative. In addition, the larger bracket is designed to be supported by clamping around the outside of the top flange of the bridge girders, a detail that is not allowed by some owners.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Sigler-Roman Bridge Bracket is intended to fill the current void in the construction market for an economical, high capacity, adjustable, and efficient bridge over-hang bracket. It has a high capacity (8,000 LB EA), with a relatively light weight. It exceeds the efficiency of the WACO Bracket and the adjustability of the Dayton-Richmond Bracket.

The light weight, adjustability, and low production cost come from the replacement of fixed steel shapes for the vertical and diagonal bracket members with coil rod and 4×4 timbers respectively. These are both common construction materials (though uncommonly used with bridge overhang brackets).

The Sigler-Roman Bridge Bracket also has a screw jack for final grade adjustment, similar to the WACO Bracket (unlike the Dayton-Richmond Bracket); however, the higher and wider capacity means fewer brackets are required for a given situation, and the slotted hanger assembly allows for faster erection and disassembly of the unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

There are three pages of drawings included with this patent applications. Page 1 of the drawings depicts the complete bracket assembly with views from the Top, Front, and Side. Five detail drawings are called out on the page 1 drawing. These details are labeled FIG. 1 through FIG. 5. These details represent the five fabricated components of this invention. The diagonal timber and the vertical support coil rods are part of the operational bracket, but not part of the fabricated assembly (user furnished).

Page 2 of the drawings depicts FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is the hanger assembly. This assembly attaches to the bridge girders in addition to supporting the horizontal body (FIG. 3) of the assembly and the vertical support coil rods. FIG. 2 is the swivel bucket which attaches the diagonal timber to the horizontal body of the bracket.

Page 3 of the drawings depicts FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is the body of the hanger. This member supports the construction loads and distributes them to the hanger assembly (FIG. 1) and the swivel bucket (FIG. 2). FIG. 4 is the support ledger. This member supports the bottom of the diagonal timber and transfers the vertical load from this member up to the hanger assembly. FIG. 5 is the screw jack with swivel head. These adjustable members directly support the construction loads and impart them into the body (FIG. 3) of the bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Sigler-Roman Bridge Bracket is designed for maximum capacity and adjustability. The bracket is primarily for the construction of bride concrete overhangs.

The hanger assembly (FIG. 1), which is supported off of the web of the exterior girders by a bolt, is the key to the bracket. The hanger assembly has an oversized hole to accept the head of the bolt, then a vertical slot for the bolt to settle into to support the overhang loads. This is designed for maximum efficiency erecting and removing the overhang brackets. The body of the bracket attaches to this assembly with a bolt, which allows rotation. This provides adjustability for situations with exterior webs that are not vertical (concrete or steel tub girder applications). The final detail of the hanger assembly is the supports at the bottom of the assembly for the support coil rods. By making the vertical leg of the bracket from coil rod, the length is adjustable, which allows for location of the bottom support ledger. This allows the location of the side load created by the diagonal timber to be directed to a controlled location.

The body (FIG. 3) of the bracket is a durable tube steel section. This tube steel is coped at one end to allow for rotation at the hanger assembly and has a series of vertical and horizontal holes drilled into it. The holes at the center of the bracket allow for a secondary configuration of the overhang bracket. This collapsed configuration is for use on shallow bridge girders. The length of the tube steel and supports were maximized to produce the widest possible support points. These wide support points provide added support capacity and minimize the required support members above the overhang bracket.

The swivel bucket assembly (FIG. 2) distributes a portion of the vertical support load into the diagonal timber. The rotational capacity of the bolted connection, combined with the variable lengths for the timber allows for any combination of geometry that may be encountered. The swivel bucket seat is designed to accept either a 4×4 or 4×6 timber diagonal members. There are load restrictions for varying length and types of timber members which will be included on a table with the manufactured brackets.

The support angle captures the vertical load component of the diagonal timber member and transfers it up to the hanger assembly. The angle is intended to rest directly against the base of the bridge girder to impart the horizontal component of the diagonal timber member into the most desirable location. The length of the angle is designed to capture either a 4×4 or 4×6 timber between the vertical support rods.

The swivel head screw jack (FIG. 5) is not a unique feature to this overhang bracket; however, the variable locations of the swivel heads along the body of the bracket allows for multiple geometrical configurations of the bridge bracket.

All together the bracket is designed to have a high capacity and be geometrically adaptable to any exterior bridge beam or other configurations which may arise in the construction of bridge overhangs. 

1. The invention claim is the combined use of a timber diagonal member and a threaded rod vertical member on a bridge overhang bracket for maximum geometric adjustability. The specific design for the hanger assembly as illustrated in FIG. 1 (page 2) of the attached drawing and as described in paragraph 0002 of the section DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION is key design of this utility patent claim. 